Brush Creek Nursery School, December 2007 Newsletter

Classroom Notes
It’s amazing to imagine we only have one month left in 2007. For many this has been a year of struggle and strife. Thank goodness we are privileged to see the world through our children. It really is the great equalizer. We can all learn so much from children, their resilience, and the ability to see things for what they really are. December is a wonderful time to take stock, to relive the good moments and work toward changing things we’re not as pleased with in our lives.

We will be so busy in our classrooms these next few weeks. Each child is bringing a very special gift home, made with loving hands. We will share traditions with each other and show the diverse ways in which we all express our joy.

My holiday wish for all of you is to find your true meaning of the holidays this season. Look carefully under the wrapping paper, past the pile of bills. It’s so easy to get caught up in the events, the gifts, and the craziness. But, take time to see the joy though your child’s eyes as the menorah is lit, as Santa is spotted across a crowded mall, as you hunt for the perfect tree. Happy holidays, and may peace find all of us in the New Year. - Julie

We are looking for a parent who is willing to pick out a holiday tree for our school. The school will reimburse you for the cost. We’d like to put it up the first or second week in December. See Julie or one of the teachers if you can help out. Thanks!

Holiday giving
Often we see classmates putting a small card or even a gift into the files of their friends on a holiday. The kindness of this gesture is not unnoticed. No one should feel obligated to give gifts to other students, but we wanted to remind you about our no candy policy. We are very firm on this, not only because it’s unhealthy but because candy left in cubbies or files brings ants. Thanks for adhering to the policy!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

We are planning classroom parties the last two days before our winter break. These parties will be for the kids and we are hoping to decorate sugar cookies shaped like “people”. If you can help us out by baking cookies, please let us know. We will also put sign ups out for bringing items like napkins, plates, healthy snacks, etc.

EIP KICKOFF
We had a fun and exciting kick off to our Evening in Paradise fundraiser. Chairs Lauren Wood, Lisa Mindemann and Marcellina Littleton want you to know it is absolutely NOT too late to join in the committee work. If everyone could do just a little bit, the work would really be minimal. Let us hear from you! We’d love to have you be a part of this marvelous event!

SPARE CLOTHES
It is time to check out your child’s stash of spare clothes. Many of the children still have shorts and short sleeved shirts in their spare clothes bag. Many are missing “parts”, now that we are a few months into school. Please bring in clothes appropriate to our current weather, and make sure they have shirt, pants, underwear and socks. Thanks.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM — NANCY
The Brush Creek Nursery School Board of Directors is pleased to announce Nancy Libby is the profiled staff member for the month of December, 2007.

Nancy is a native of Santa Rosa. She was born at Memorial Hospital and grew up in her parent’s home on Montgomery Drive. She says that she and her brother and sister would walk the four blocks to St. Eugene’s Elementary School, where she attended school from kindergarten through eighth grade. Nancy then went on to Ursuline High School and graduated in 1980.

In high school, Nancy worked nights and weekends for the Press Democrat in the Circulation Department. It was also in high school that she began her long history with Brush Creek Nursery School at the young age of 14. Nancy was placed at Brush Creek through a youth-hire program and assisted the teachers over the course of three summers. She says that she learned a lot about children and teaching during that time.

After graduating from high school, Nancy began taking general education courses at Santa Rosa Junior College. As a result of her work experience at BCNS, she had developed a great interest in Early Childhood Education. After taking just one course in the Child Development Department, Nancy knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Nancy continued on to earn her Certificate in Early Childhood Education and starting working at BC at the age of 19.

It’s easy to see that Nancy has a great love for her work as an early childhood educator, which greatly stems from her love for the children she teaches. She has devoted her career to the education of young children, and when asked about her passion for teaching, she had this to say: “Besides being a parent, I believe that being a teacher is one of the most important jobs in the world. I believe in the importance of building self-esteem and confidence in young children so that they have the skills to deal with challenges that will face them in the future. My role is to present experiences to the children that allow them to explore, think, create and learn. For twenty plus years I have given my heart to my students and have devoted myself to them. I take great pride in their accomplishments, because through my guidance, they are learning great life skills.”

Once you get to know Nancy, you learn very quickly that she is equally proud of her personal life. When asked about her family, she had this to say: “My husband Brian and I celebrated our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary in June of this year. We were fortunate to have had our sweet daughter Megan in our lives for almost seventeen years. We are raising our darling daughter Jordan who is now a freshman at Analy High School.”

Nancy currently participates on the Board of “For Our Angels” Memorial Golf Tournament, which was initiated after the death of their daughter Megan and raises money for scholarships.

Nancy’s hobbies include gardening, hiking, reading, and cooking with her husband, Brian. She also loves to read, watch movies and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband also enjoy playing cribbage, which is an old card game.

When asked what she likes most about her job, Nancy said this: “What I love the most is the energy that the children give to me. Children keep you so busy. It’s always interesting, challenging and exciting! I love the support and love that the parents want for their children and how the parents always want the best for them. It makes me step-up-to-the-plate and be a better teacher and person.” Nancy further commented that: “In my many years at Brush Creek, I have made many friends that I continue to hold dear to my heart. This place is a community and through the good and difficult times, friends have always been here for me. I am a part of Brush Creek and Brush Creek is a part of me.”

REMINDERS FROM THE OFFICE
If your child is a contract respite user and they miss some respite time due to vacation or illness, you can get credit on your account. Credit slips are located inside the front door on the bulletin board.

Please remember to sign in and out daily!!! Linda is noticing people slacking on this really important task. Billings are done off of these sheets.

DEADLINE FOR WAITING LIST
If you are a previous parent and you have a child who will be coming to Brush Creek in the Fall of 2008, please make sure they are on our waiting list. Any previous parent who does not sign up by the end of January will lose their previous parent status on the list.

TOYWORKS SHOPPING NIGHT
Brush Creek is having an “exclusive” shopping night at Toy Works Toy Store, located at 531 College Ave. It will be on Sunday, December 9th from 6:00pm-8:30pm. Wine and cookies will be served at no cost. This is a great opportunity to bring in friends or family who want to buy quality gifts for kids for the holidays. Brush Creek will get 10% of the sales during this special event.

There will also be a “wish list” for our school. Families who may want to gift the school with an item can find our needs list. We hope to see many of there!

If you have any questions, please ask the office.

BRUSH CREEK NURSERY SCHOOL Newsletter November 2007
Remember: school closed Dec. 22-Jan.6
Classroom Notes It’s amazing to imagine we only have one month left in 2007. For many this has been a year of struggle and strife. Thank goodness we are privileged to see the world through our children. It really is the great equalizer. We can all learn so much from children, their resilience, and the ability to see things for what they really are. December is a wonderful time to take stock, to relive the good moments and work toward changing things we’re not as pleased with in our lives. We will be so busy in our classrooms these next few weeks. Each child is bringing a very special gift home, made with loving hands. We will share traditions with each other and show the diverse ways in which we all express our joy. My holiday wish for all of you is to find your true meaning of the holidays this season. Look carefully under the wrapping paper, past the pile of bills. It’s so easy to get caught up in the events, the gifts, and the craziness. But, take time to see the joy though your child’s eyes as the menorah is lit, as Santa is spotted across a crowded mall, as you hunt for the perfect tree. Happy holidays, and may peace find all of us in the New Year. - Julie We are looking for a parent who is willing to pick out a holiday tree for our school. The school will reimburse you for the cost. We’d like to put it up the first or second week in December. See Julie or one of the teachers if you can help out. Thanks! Holiday giving Often we see classmates putting a small card or even a gift into the files of their friends on a holiday. The kindness of this gesture is not unnoticed. No one should feel obligated to give gifts to other students, but we wanted to remind you about our no candy policy. We are very firm on this, not only because it’s unhealthy but because candy left in cubbies or files brings ants. Thanks for adhering to the policy! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! We are planning classroom parties the last two days before our winter break. These parties will be for the kids and we are hoping to decorate sugar cookies shaped like “people”. If you can help us out by baking cookies, please let us know. We will also put sign ups out for bringing items like napkins, plates, healthy snacks, etc. EIP KICKOFF We had a fun and exciting kick off to our Evening in Paradise fundraiser. Chairs Lauren Wood, Lisa Mindemann and Marcellina Littleton want you to know it is absolutely NOT too late to join in the committee work. If everyone could do just a little bit, the work would really be minimal. Let us hear from you! We’d love to have you be a part of this marvelous event! SPARE CLOTHES It is time to check out your child’s stash of spare clothes. Many of the children still have shorts and short sleeved shirts in their spare clothes bag. Many are missing “parts”, now that we are a few months into school. Please bring in clothes appropriate to our current weather, and make sure they have shirt, pants, underwear and socks. Thanks. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM — NANCY The Brush Creek Nursery School Board of Directors is pleased to announce Nancy Libby is the profiled staff member for the month of December, 2007. Nancy is a native of Santa Rosa. She was born at Memorial Hospital and grew up in her parent’s home on Montgomery Drive. She says that she and her brother and sister would walk the four blocks to St. Eugene’s Elementary School, where she attended school from kindergarten through eighth grade. Nancy then went on to Ursuline High School and graduated in 1980. In high school, Nancy worked nights and weekends for the Press Democrat in the Circulation Department. It was also in high school that she began her long history with Brush Creek Nursery School at the young age of 14. Nancy was placed at Brush Creek through a youth-hire program and assisted the teachers over the course of three summers. She says that she learned a lot about children and teaching during that time. After graduating from high school, Nancy began taking general education courses at Santa Rosa Junior College. As a result of her work experience at BCNS, she had developed a great interest in Early Childhood Education. After taking just one course in the Child Development Department, Nancy knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Nancy continued on to earn her Certificate in Early Childhood Education and starting working at BC at the age of 19. It’s easy to see that Nancy has a great love for her work as an early childhood educator, which greatly stems from her love for the children she teaches. She has devoted her career to the education of young children, and when asked about her passion for teaching, she had this to say: “Besides being a parent, I believe that being a teacher is one of the most important jobs in the world. I believe in the importance of building self-esteem and confidence in young children so that they have the skills to deal with challenges that will face them in the future. My role is to present experiences to the children that allow them to explore, think, create and learn. For twenty plus years I have given my heart to my students and have devoted myself to them. I take great pride in their accomplishments, because through my guidance, they are learning great life skills.” Once you get to know Nancy, you learn very quickly that she is equally proud of her personal life. When asked about her family, she had this to say: “My husband Brian and I celebrated our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary in June of this year. We were fortunate to have had our sweet daughter Megan in our lives for almost seventeen years. We are raising our darling daughter Jordan who is now a freshman at Analy High School.” Nancy currently participates on the Board of “For Our Angels” Memorial Golf Tournament, which was initiated after the death of their daughter Megan and raises money for scholarships. Nancy’s hobbies include gardening, hiking, reading, and cooking with her husband, Brian. She also loves to read, watch movies and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband also enjoy playing cribbage, which is an old card game. When asked what she likes most about her job, Nancy said this: “What I love the most is the energy that the children give to me. Children keep you so busy. It’s always interesting, challenging and exciting! I love the support and love that the parents want for their children and how the parents always want the best for them. It makes me step-up-to-the-plate and be a better teacher and person.” Nancy further commented that: “In my many years at Brush Creek, I have made many friends that I continue to hold dear to my heart. This place is a community and through the good and difficult times, friends have always been here for me. I am a part of Brush Creek and Brush Creek is a part of me.” REMINDERS FROM THE OFFICE If your child is a contract respite user and they miss some respite time due to vacation or illness, you can get credit on your account. Credit slips are located inside the front door on the bulletin board. Please remember to sign in and out daily!!! Linda is noticing people slacking on this really important task. Billings are done off of these sheets. DEADLINE FOR WAITING LIST If you are a previous parent and you have a child who will be coming to Brush Creek in the Fall of 2008, please make sure they are on our waiting list. Any previous parent who does not sign up by the end of January will lose their previous parent status on the list. TOYWORKS SHOPPING NIGHT Brush Creek is having an “exclusive” shopping night at Toy Works Toy Store, located at 531 College Ave. It will be on Sunday, December 9th from 6:00pm-8:30pm. Wine and cookies will be served at no cost. This is a great opportunity to bring in friends or family who want to buy quality gifts for kids for the holidays. Brush Creek will get 10% of the sales during this special event. There will also be a “wish list” for our school. Families who may want to gift the school with an item can find our needs list. We hope to see many of there! If you have any questions, please ask the office.

BRUSH CREEK NURSERY SCHOOL Newsletter November 2007

BRUSH CREEK NURSERY SCHOOL
Newsletter November 2007